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1980 BMW 320i --- Clean title, rust free, AC, sunroof

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: BMW
  • Model: 3-Series
  • Type: Coupe
  • Year: 1980
  • Mileage: 174,177
  • VIN: WBA17330007167151
  • Color: Black
  • Engine size: 1.8
  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Power options: Air Conditioning
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Black
  • Options: Cassette Player, Sunroof
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Location: Sacramento, California, United States

Description

Please read the entire auction, it will answer most questions you may have. If you do have questions after that, please ask me. This is a no reserve auction, thanks for looking, and good luck!!!
Buyer will be responsible for shipping, I'm happy to coordinate with a shipping company, but ultimately you the buyer will need to figure that out. Unless you are somewhere on the west coast, maybe (and that is a big maybe) I can tow it to you for a reasonable cost.
I took a short video of me driving it around the block. This is pretty much as far as I have driven it.https://youtu.be/nPAz-_g92VQ
Up for sale is a 1980 BMW 320i. I bought this car with a friend of mine, and we were going to strip it down and make a race car out of it. But, once we got it home, we both decided that it was in too good of condition for us to destroy. We'll find another 3 series that is almost beat to death, and let someone enjoy this nice E21.
Here are the cliff notes: it runs and drives but needs some engine work and some brake work. The body is in great shape, no dents that I can see. Paint is ok with a few bad spots as shown in the pictures. Interior is in great shape with the exception of the cosmetic sunroof panel (its not there) and electrical is in ok shape, everything works except the blower motor for the heater and AC. The title is a Nevada and it is clean and in my name. However, the car is located in Sacramento CA.
Drivetrain:We bought the car and it cranked but wouldn't start. It had good spark, but no fuel. I replaced the external fuel pump, and bypassed the in tank fuel pump.(Its not really needed, the 77-79 320i's didn't have one at all) So now it starts and runs, but it appears to be running rich. The motor seems to be healthy tho, as all 4 cylinders have between 140-150lbs of compression. And when you start it up the oil pressure light goes out right away. I'm not an expert with the mechanical fuel injection, and its not worth my time to try and get it dialed in. It might simply need a tune up, but all the plugs looked ok (they were a bit sooty which indicates a running rich) and the cap and rotor looked good as well. The transmission is a 5 speed and it shifts into all 5 gears without any issues. The rear end was quiet as well.
Electrical:Just about everything works. The headlights, high beams, turn signals, emergency lights, dash lights, glove box light, radio, horn, wipers (they are a little lethargic, but the do work) The only thing that doesn't work is the blower motor. I don't know if the AC works, but everything is there for the AC to work and it wouldn't be too hard to get that going.
Brakes:The brakes are going to need some attention. First, the power booster is either really weak, or not functioning. The brakes stop the car as shown in the video if you watch it, but it takes some leg strength. More than the other 2 E21's I have had over the years. Just run down to your local pick and pull and grab one. Also, the rear brakes are moist on the back, which indicates that the wheel cylinders are leaking. I haven't taken the wheels off to check, because I'd rather work on the car I plan on keeping.
Interior:Interior is great, the seats front and back are in great shape, the only blemish is a small tear in the back of the passenger seat. The carpet is in great condition as well. This car even has the panel that goes under the steering column, both E21's I have had in the past didn't have that and I could never find one. The dash has a few cracks in it, but it has a dash cover. The only negatives about the interior are no front speakers, which is the easiest fix ever. And the headliner for the sunroof is missing. I had the same thing with an E30, it is easy to put it on once you find one. So with very little effort the interior will be fantastic.
Body:The body is in great shape, there are no real dents that I can see. And I can't see any evidence of ever being in an accident. There are a few flaws in the paint job as pictured, but it looks good from a distance. The worst spot is below the passenger door. A chunk of paint is missing, check out the picture. The wheels and tires are pushing it size wise, and the passenger side front tire has rubbed against the fender. There is no rust on the undercarriage, the floor pans are good, the shock towers are good, it is a very clean car.
Suspension and steering:I have barely driven the car (literally only 2.5 miles), so I can't really say much about it. It does have bilstein shocks at the back and the wheel turns back and forth just fine.
Overall, I think this would be a great car with a little TLC. Just get the motor dialed in, and get some new brakes and it should be good for many miles to come. Both my previous E21's went to over 225k on the odometer and this one has 174k. These cars are getting harder to find in good condition, this would be a great mini project for someone to finish before summer and then cruise around during summer. I kinda want to keep it for nostalgia, but I kinda want a race car and my garage only has room for one.